Cell cutting device and cell cutting method

ABSTRACT

A cell cutting device and a cell cutting method are disclosed. The cell cutting device includes a loading stage configured to load a display sheet including a plurality of display cells, a rotation driving unit connected to the loading stage and configured to rotate the loading stage and to separate the display sheet into the plurality of display cells, and a position change unit connected to the loading stage and configured to change a position of the loading stage.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2012-0066317, filed on Jun. 20, 2012 in the KoreanIntellectual Property Office, the entire content of which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Aspects of embodiments of the present invention relate to a cell cuttingdevice and a cell cutting method.

2. Description of the Related Art

In general, various methods may be used to separate a plurality of cellsthat are formed in a sheet (for example, a substrate of display panels).In particular, a laser or a chemical treatment is generally used. Forexample, for a plurality of display panels formed on a common substrate,the laser or chemical treatment may be used to separate the displaypanels. The display panels may alternatively be manually separated.

However, when the aforementioned methods are used, the procedure may becomplicated and incur a large manufacturing cost. On the other hand,when the cells are manually separated, quality may vary due to factorssuch as a difference in cutting pressure. In particular, with manualseparation, production output may vary significantly according tofactors such as the expertise of the workers.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention provide for a cell cutting devicecapable of easily and rapidly cutting a plurality of display cells, andfor a cell cutting method.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a cellcutting device is provided. The cell cutting device includes a loadingstage configured to load a display sheet including a plurality ofdisplay cells, a rotation driving unit connected to the loading stageand configured to rotate the loading stage and to separate the displaysheet into the plurality of display cells, and a position change unitconnected to the loading stage and configured to change a position ofthe loading stage.

The cell cutting device may further include an adhesion unit connectedto the loading stage and configured to adhere the display sheet and theplurality of display cells to the loading stage.

The adhesion unit may include an air intake part configured to intakeair from an intake hole in the loading stage.

The rotation driving unit may include a cam connected to the loadingstage, and a driving unit connected to the cam and configured to rotatethe cam.

The cell cutting device may further include a support unit configured tosupport the loading stage and to receive a rotation axis of the loadingstage, and a rotation member connected to the rotation axis andconfigured to rotate according to rotation of the cam.

The loading stage may include a plurality of loading stages. Therotation driving unit may include a plurality of rotation driving unitsarranged to correspond to the loading stages. The plurality of rotationdriving units may be configured to operate in sequential order.

The loading stage may include a plurality of loading stages. Therotation angles of the plurality of loading stages may differ from eachother.

The loading stage may include a plurality of loading stages. Theposition change unit may include a plurality of position change unitsarranged to correspond to the loading stages. The plurality of positionchange units may be located between respective adjacent ones of theplurality of loading stages and configured to separate the plurality ofloading stages from each other.

The cell cutting device may further include a dummy removal unitseparated from the loading stage and configured to remove a dummy cellof each of the plurality of display cells.

The loading stage may include a plurality of loading stages. The dummyremoval unit may include a cutter unit between adjacent ones of theplurality of loading stages, and a cutter driving unit configured tolinearly move the cutter unit toward the plurality of loading stages.

An end of the cutter unit may be tapered.

The cutter unit may include a plurality of cutter units arranged tocorrespond to the adjacent ones of the plurality of loading stages. Thedummy removal unit may further include a position adjusting unitconfigured to linearly move the plurality of cutter units in alongitudinal direction of the display sheet.

The position adjusting unit may include a cylindrical cam unit connectedto the plurality of cutter units, and a cam driving unit connected tothe cylindrical cam unit and configured to rotate the cylindrical camunit.

The cell cutting device may further include a crack forming unitconfigured to form a crack in the display sheet loaded onto the loadingstage.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, acell cutting method is provided. The method includes loading a displaysheet including a plurality of display cells onto a loading stage,forming a crack between the plurality of display cells, separating theplurality of display cells from each other by rotating the loading stagein one direction, and rotating the loading stage in a direction oppositeto the one direction.

The loading stage may include a plurality of loading stages arranged tocorrespond to the display cells. The method may further includeseparating the plurality of loading stages from each other in alongitudinal direction of the display sheet.

The loading of the display sheet may include adhering the display sheetand the plurality of display cells to the loading stage.

The loading stage may include a plurality of loading stages arranged tocorrespond to the display cells. The rotating of the loading stage inthe one direction may include rotating the plurality of loading stagesin sequential order.

The loading stage may include a plurality of loading stages arranged tocorrespond to the display cells. In the rotating of the loading stage inthe one direction, rotation angles of the plurality of loading stagesmay differ from each other.

The method may further include removing a dummy region of each of theplurality of separated display cells by using a dummy removal unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and aspects of the present invention willbecome more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodimentsthereof with reference to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cell cutting device according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate an operation of the cell cutting device ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates operations of a first cam and a second cam shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cell cutting device according toanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates an operation of the cell cutting device of FIG. 4;and

FIG. 6 illustrates an operation of a dummy removal unit of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of theinvention are shown. The present invention may, however, be embodied inmany different forms and should not be construed as being limited to theembodiments set forth herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments areprovided to more fully convey aspects and concepts of the invention tothose of ordinary skill in the art.

The terms or words used in the following description should not beconstrued as limiting the spirit and scope of the following claims butshould be construed as describing exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention. Throughout the specification, a singular form may includeplural forms, unless there is a particular description contrary thereto.In addition, terms such as “comprise” and/or “comprising” are used tospecify existence of, for example, a recited form, a process, anoperation, and/or a component, not excluding the existence of one ormore other recited forms, one or more other processes, one or more otheroperations, and/or one or more other components. Throughout thespecification, while terms such as “first” and “second” are used todescribe various components, the components are not limited to the terms“first” and “second”. The terms “first” and “second” are used only todistinguish between each component.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cell cutting device 100 according toan embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate anoperation of the cell cutting device 100 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 illustratesoperations of a first cam 141 (and similarly, for a second cam 151)shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, the cell cutting device 100 includes aloading stage or a plurality of loading stages 110 to which a displaysheet S having a plurality of display cells D formed thereon is loaded.The plurality of loading stages 110 may be arranged (e.g., to correspondto the display cells D). For example, the plurality of loading stages110 may be arranged to support surfaces of the display cells D,respectively.

As shown in FIG. 1, the loading stages 110 include a first loading stage111, and a second loading stage 113 that is separated from the firstloading stage 111 by a set distance (for example, a predetermineddistance). The number of loading stages 110 is not limited to anyparticular number and thus, may vary according to factors such as thenumber of display cells D. For example, when the number of display cellsD is 10, the number of loading stages 110 may be 10. In addition, whenthe number of display cells D is 5, the number of loading stages 110 maybe 5. Other numbers may also be chosen. For example, when the number ofdisplay cells D is 5, the number of loading stages 110 may be 10.Hereinafter, for convenience of description, it is assumed that thenumber of display cells D is 2, and the number of loading stages 110 is2.

The display sheet S is a sheet on which the display cells D aredisposed, for example located or arranged, in a particular form orarrangement, such as a checkered form (e.g., an array of one or moredimensions). For example, the display sheet S may have the display cellsD arranged as an array in one direction. That is, the display sheet Smay be arranged such that a first display cell D1, and a second displaycell D2 that is separated from the first display cell D1 by a setdistance (for example, a predetermined distance), are arranged in anarray of one direction (e.g., in a line). Such a display sheet S may beloaded onto the loading stage 110 by an external apparatus.

The cell cutting device 100 may include an adhesion unit or a pluralityof adhesion units that is part of (for example, is mounted in) theloading stage 110. The adhesion unit adheres to the display sheet S thatis loaded onto the loading stage 110 and thus, may fix the display sheetS to the loading stage 110. In addition, after the display sheet S isseparated into the display cells D, the adhesion unit may adhere to andfix the display cells D to the loading stage 110.

The plurality of adhesion units may be arranged (for example, arrangedsimilarly to the display cells D on the display sheet S). The adhesionunits may include a first adhesion unit located in (for example, mountedin) the first loading stage 111 and a second adhesion unit located in(for example, mounted in) the second loading stage 113. The firstadhesion unit and the second adhesion unit may be formed in a similarmanner. As such, for brevity of description, only the first adhesionunit will be described in further detail.

The first adhesion unit may be variously formed. For example, the firstadhesion unit may have a first air intake part to intake air from afirst intake hole 131 formed in the first loading stage 111. The firstair intake part may include a first nozzle connected to the first intakehole 131 of the first loading stage 111, and a first intake pump tointake air through the first nozzle. In other embodiments, the firstadhesion unit may be a concave structure to adhere to the display sheetS and the display cells D. Hereinafter, for convenience of description,it is assumed that the first adhesion unit has the first air intakepart.

The cell cutting device 100 may include a rotation driving unit (or aplurality of rotation driving units) that is connected or attached to(for example, mounted to) the loading stage 110 to rotate the loadingstage 110. The plurality of rotation driving units may be arranged(e.g., to correspond to the plurality of loading stages 110). Forexample, the rotation driving units may include a first rotation drivingunit 140 connected to or mounted to the first loading stage 111, and asecond rotation driving unit 150 connected to or mounted to the secondloading stage 113. The first rotation driving unit 140 and the secondrotation driving unit 150 may have similar configurations and functions.As such, for brevity of description, only the first rotation drivingunit 140 will be described in further detail.

In the cell cutting device 100 of FIGS. 1-3, the first rotation drivingunit 140 includes the first cam 141 connected to the first loading stage111. In addition, the first rotation driving unit 140 includes a firstdriving unit 142 that is connected to the first cam 141 to rotate thefirst cam 141. The first driving unit 142 includes a first driving powergenerating unit 143 that is externally formed to generate a drivingpower. The first driving power generating unit 143 may be variouslyformed. For example, the first driving power generating unit 143 mayinclude a first motor, a first cylinder, or the like. Hereinafter, forconvenience of description, it is assumed that the first driving powergenerating unit 143 includes the first motor.

The first driving unit 142 also includes a first driving powerdelivering unit 145 that is connected to the first driving powergenerating unit 143 and the first cam 141 to deliver the driving powerof the first driving power generating unit 143 to the first cam 141. Thefirst driving power delivering unit 145 may be variously formedaccording to the form of the first driving power generating unit 143.For example, when the first driving power generating unit 143 is thefirst motor, the first driving power delivering unit 145 may include afirst gear assembly 145 a that rotates according to rotation of thefirst motor, and a first shaft 145 b that is connected to the first cam141 and rotates according to an operation of the first gear assembly 145a.

In other embodiments, when the first driving power generating unit 143is the first cylinder, the first driving power delivering unit 145 mayinclude a first link assembly that rotates or moves according tomovement of the first cylinder, and a cam rotating member that isconnected to the first cam 141 to rotate the first cam 141 according toan operation of the first link assembly. However, in the embodiment ofFIG. 1, it is assumed that the first driving power generating unit 143is the first motor. Thus, the first driving power delivering unit 145includes the first gear assembly 145 a and the first shaft 145 b.

The cell cutting device 100 may include a support unit or a plurality ofsupport units 160 that is mounted with a set distance (for example, apredetermined distance) from the loading stage 110. The plurality ofsupport units 160 may be arranged (e.g., to correspond to the pluralityof rotation driving units). A rotation axis (for example, first rotationaxis 111 a of the first loading stage 111 or second rotation axis 113 aof the second loading stage 113) of the loading stage 110 may berotatably inserted into the support unit 160.

In more detail, the support units 160 may include a first support unit161 for supporting (for example, mounting with) the first loading stage111 and separated by a set distance (for example, a predetermineddistance) from the first loading stage 111, and a second support unit162 for supporting (for example, mounting with) the second loading stage113 and separated by a set distance (for example, a predetermineddistance) from the second loading stage 113. The first support unit 161and the second support unit 162 may be similarly formed. As such, forbrevity of description, only the first support unit 161 will bedescribed in further detail.

A plurality of first support units 161 may be arranged or mounted toface each other (for example, on opposite sides of the first loadingstage 111), as shown in FIG. 1. In addition, the first support unit 161may be formed such that the first rotation axis 111 a of the firstloading stage 111 may be inserted thereto. For example, the firstrotation axis 111 a may be rotatably inserted into the first supportunit 161.

The cell cutting device 100 may include a rotation member or a pluralityof rotation members (for example, first rotation member 171 and secondrotation member 172) that is connected to or mounted on a rotation axis(for example, the first rotation axis 111 a and the second rotation axis113 a) and rotates according to rotation of a cam (for example, thefirst cam 141 and the second cam 151). The plurality of rotation membersmay be arranged (e.g., to correspond to the cams), and the rotationmembers may include the first rotation member 171 connected to ormounted on the first rotation axis 111 a, and the second rotation member172 connected to or mounted on the second rotation axis 113 a. The firstrotation member 171 and the second rotation member 172 may be similarlyformed. As such, for brevity of description, only the first rotationmember 171 will be described in further detail.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the first rotation member 171 has a shapewith a protruding end. In particular, the protruding end of the firstrotation member 171 may contact an exterior surface of the first cam141. Thus, the first rotation member 171 rotates according to rotationof the first cam 141, so that the first rotation member 171 rotates thefirst rotation axis 111 a.

The cell cutting device 100 may include a position change unit or aplurality of position change units that is connected to the loadingstage 110 to change a position of the loading stage 110. For example,the position change unit may change the position of the loading stage110 in a longitudinal direction of the display sheet S.

The plurality of position change units may be arranged (e.g., tocorrespond to the loading stages 110). For example, the position changeunits may be located between the loading stages 110, respectively. Therespective position change units may operate to change a distancebetween the respective loading stages 110. For example, the positionchange units may include a first position change unit that is locatedbetween the first loading stage 111 and the second loading stage 113 tochange a distance between the first loading stage 111 and the secondloading stage 113.

In addition, the position change units may include a second positionchange unit that is located at or mounted on an exterior side of thesecond loading stage 113 to form a straight line with the first positionchange unit. The second position change unit may operate to adjust aposition of the second loading stage 113 when the first position changeunit operates (for example, when there are more than two loading stages,the second position change unit may operate to change a distance betweenthe second loading stage 113 and a third loading stage).

The cell cutting device 100 may include a crack forming unit or aplurality of crack forming units that is disposed with a set distance(for example, a predetermined distance) from the loading stage 110 andthat forms a crack in the display sheet S loaded onto the loading stage110. The crack forming unit may form a crack between the display cells Ddisposed on the display sheet S.

In addition, the plurality of crack forming units may be arranged (forexample, arranged to correspond to the loading stages 110 or the spacesbetween the loading stages 110). The crack forming units may include afirst crack forming unit located between the first loading stage 111 andthe second loading stage 113. In addition, the crack forming units mayinclude a second crack forming unit located at an end of the firstloading stage 111 or an end of the second loading stage 113, or betweenadjacent ones of the loading stages 110 (such as between the secondloading stage 113 and a third loading stage, when there are more thantwo loading stages 110). The first crack forming unit and the secondcrack forming unit may be similarly formed. As such, for brevity ofdescription, only the first crack forming unit will be described infurther detail.

The first crack forming unit may include all types of devices capable offorming a crack between the display cells D, as described above. Forexample, the first crack forming unit may include one or more types ofdevices that form a crack, for example, by rotating a rotation body, byusing a laser, or the like.

Hereinafter, operations of the cell cutting device 100 will be describedin further detail.

1. Operation 1: Adhering a Display Sheet

When the cell cutting device 100 operates, a display sheet on whichdisplay cells D are arranged in a checkered form (for example, atwo-dimensional matrix with rows and columns) may be cut in a rowdirection or a column direction. Accordingly, a plurality of displaysheets S may be formed and each of the display sheets S may be suppliedto the cell cutting device 100.

The first display cell D1 and the second display cell D2 formed on thedisplay sheet S may be loaded onto the first loading stage 111 and thesecond loading stage 113, respectively. When the display sheet S isloaded, the first adhesion unit and the second adhesion unit operate toadhere to and to fix the display sheet S. In more detail, when the firstintake pump operates, air is taken in by the first nozzle via the firstintake hole 131. Due to the air intake via the first intake hole 131, aportion of the display sheet S on which the first display cell D1 isformed is adhered to the first loading stage 111. In addition, a secondintake pump may operate in the same manner, so that a portion of thedisplay sheet S on which the second display cell D2 is formed is adheredto the second loading stage 113.

2. Operation 2: Forming a Crack

While the display sheet S is adhered as in operation 1, a crack may beformed in the display sheet S by using the first crack forming unit andthe second crack forming unit. In more detail, according to an operationof the first crack forming unit, a crack may be formed in a portion ofthe display sheet S between the first display cell D1 and the seconddisplay cell D2. In addition, according to an operation of the secondcrack forming unit, a crack may be formed in an end of the display sheetS or next to the second display cell D2 (such as between the seconddisplay cell D2 and a third display cell, when the display sheet S hasmore than two display cells D). The crack may be formed, for example,via a physical treatment or a chemical treatment.

3. Operation 3: Separating Display Cells

When the crack is formed as in operation 2, the loading stage 110 mayrotate. For example, the first loading stage 111 and the second loadingstage 113 may rotate to concentrate stress on the portion where thecrack is formed. The first loading stage 111 and the second loadingstage 113 may rotate with different rotation angles. In addition, thefirst loading stage 111 and the second loading stage 113 may rotate insequential order.

In more detail, the first loading stage 111 and the second loading stage113 may rotate with different rotation angles due to an exterior-surfaceshape of the first cam 141 and an exterior-surface shape of the secondcam 151. A curvature of an exterior surface of the first cam 141, whichis in contact with the first rotation member 171, may differ from acurvature of an exterior surface of the second cam 151, which is incontact with the second rotation member 172. Thus, due to a differencebetween the curvatures, rotation angles of the first cam 141 and thesecond cam 151 may differ from each other, so that the rotation anglesof the first loading stage 111 and the second loading stage 113 differfrom each other.

In addition, the first loading stage 111 and the second loading stage113 may rotate with different rotation angles due to a contact betweenthe first cam 141 and the first rotation member 171, and a contactbetween the second cam 151 and the second rotation member 172. That is,when a shape of first cam 141 and a shape of the second cam 151 are thesame, initial contact portions for a start of rotation may differ fromeach other, so that the rotation angles of the first cam 141 and thesecond cam 151 differ from each other.

In more detail, the exterior surfaces of the first cam 141 and thesecond cam 151 may be the same. When the first cam 141 and the secondcam 151 are combined with the first shaft 145 b and a second shaft,respectively, the rotation angles of the first cam 141 and the secondcam 151 may differ from each other with respect to the same referenceline. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when the reference line is in avertical direction of the first loading stage 111 and the second loadingstage 113, an initial position of the first cam 141 may be more rotatedin one direction (e.g., a clockwise direction) than an initial positionof the second cam 151. The rotation angles of the first cam 141 and thesecond cam 151 differ from each other according to their rotations, andthe rotation angles of the first loading stage 111 and the secondloading stage 113 differ from each other according to the rotations ofthe first cam 141 and the second cam 151, so that the first loadingstage 111 and the second loading stage 113 rotate in sequential order.

In addition to this driving, the rotations of the first loading stage111 and the second loading stage 113 may be controlled from levels ofdriving by the first driving unit 142 and a second driving unit thatdiffer from each other. In more detail, by controlling an operationtime, a rotation count, or the like of the first driving unit 142 andthe second driving unit that drive the first cam 141 and the second cam151, respectively, the first loading stage 111 and the second loadingstage 113 may rotate in sequential order, and the rotation angles of thefirst loading stage 111 and the second loading stage 113 may differ fromeach other.

As described, operations of the first loading stage 111 and the secondloading stage 113 may be similarly performed. Hereinafter, forconvenience of description, it is assumed that the rotation angles ofthe first loading stage 111 and the second loading stage 113 aresequentially controlled due to a difference between initial positions ofthe first cam 141 and the second cam 151.

When the first cam 141 and the second cam 151 rotate as described above,first, the first driving unit 142 rotates. According to driving by thefirst driving unit 142, the first gear assembly 145 a operates, and thefirst shaft 145 b rotates, so that the first cam 141 rotates. As shownin FIG. 3, at initial positions of the first cam 141 and the firstrotation member 171, a protruding portion of the first rotation member171 contacts a first surface 141 a of the first cam 141. On the otherhand, at initial positions of the second cam 151 and the second rotationmember 172, a protruding portion of the second rotation member 172 doesnot contact a first surface 151 a of the second cam 151.

In order to allow the first rotation member 171 and the second rotationmember 172 to rotate according to rotations of the first cam 141 and thesecond cam 151, respectively, the protruding portion of the firstrotation member 171 has to contact the first surface 141 a of the firstcam 141, and the protruding portion of the second rotation member 172has to contact the first surface 151 a of the second cam 151. Since thefirst rotation member 171 contacts the first surface 141 a of the firstcam 141 at the initial position of the first rotation member 171, thefirst rotation member 171 rotates according to the driving by the firstdriving unit 142. On the other hand, because the second rotation member172 does not contact the first surface 151 a of the second cam 151 atthe initial position of the second rotation member 172, the secondrotation member 172 does not rotate according to the driving by thesecond driving unit.

When the first cam 141 operates in this manner, the first surface 141 aof the first cam 141 contacts the protruding portion of the firstrotation member 171, so that the first cam 141 applies a force to thefirst rotation member 171 according to the rotation of the first cam141. While the first rotation member 171 rotates, the first rotationmember 171 rotates the first rotation axis 111 a, so that the firstloading stage 111 rotates.

On the other hand, when the second cam 151 operates in this manner, thesecond cam 151 initially does not rotate according to an operation ofthe second driving unit. Since the protruding portion of the secondrotation member 172 does not contact the first surface 151 a, the secondrotation member 172 initially does not rotate. However, when the seconddriving unit continuously operates, the protruding portion of the secondrotation member 172 contacts the first surface 151 a of the second cam151, so that the second cam 151 rotates the second rotation member 172.The second rotation member 172 rotates the second rotation axis 113 a,so that the second loading stage 113 rotates.

When the first loading stage 111 and the second loading stage 113operate in the above manner, the rotation angles of the first loadingstage 111 and the second loading stage 113 differ from each other. Inaddition, because the first driving unit 142 and the second driving unitsequentially operate, the first loading stage 111 and the second loadingstage 113 rotate in sequential order. Because the first loading stage111 and the second loading stage 113 sequentially rotate with thedifferent angles, the first loading stage 111 and the second loadingstage 113 may provide a force capable of separating the first displaycell D1 and the second display cell D2.

4. Operation 4: Adjusting a Distance Between First Loading Stage andSecond Loading Stage

While operation 3 is being performed or after operation 3 is completed,a distance between the first loading stage 111 and the second loadingstage 113 may be adjusted. In more detail, when the first positionchange unit that is located between the first loading stage 111 and thesecond loading stage 113 operates, the distance between the firstloading stage 111 and the second loading stage 113 may be changed. Forexample, when the first position change unit operates, the distancebetween the first loading stage 111 and the second loading stage 113 maybe decreased or increased.

For example, when the first loading stage 111 and the second loadingstage 113 rotate, the first position change unit may operate to increasethe distance between the first loading stage 111 and the second loadingstage 113. In addition, the second position change unit may operate toadjust a position of the second loading stage 113.

When the distance between the first loading stage 111 and the secondloading stage 113 is adjusted as described above, fragments or foreignsubstances that occur in separation of the first display cell D1 and thesecond display cell D2 may fall in a gap between the first loading stage111 and the second loading stage 113. In addition, by increasing thedistance between the first loading stage 111 and the second loadingstage, it is possible to prevent collision between the first displaycell D1 and the second display cell D2 due to the rotations of the firstloading stage 111 and the second loading stage 113.

5. Operation 5: Repositioning a First Loading Stage and a Second LoadingStage

When operations 1 through 4 are completed, the first loading stage 111and the second loading stage 113 may return to their initial states. Forexample, the first loading stage 111 and the second loading stage 113may return to their original positions in a reverse or similar manner tothe above sequential rotations. In more detail, the first positionchange unit and the second position change unit may operate in a reversemanner to the above operations, so that the distance between the firstloading stage 111 and the second loading stage 113 is decreased.

For example, the adjustment of the distance between the first loadingstage 111 and the second loading stage 113 may be performed beforerotations of the first loading stage 111 and the second loading stage113 (which will be described later) are performed, or may beconcurrently (e.g., simultaneously) performed with the rotations of thefirst loading stage 111 and the second loading stage 113. After or whilethe distance between the first loading stage 111 and the second loadingstage 113 is adjusted as described above, the first driving unit 142 andthe second driving unit may operate in a reverse manner to the aboveoperations.

When the first driving unit 142 operates, the first cam 141 rotates andthe first rotation member 171 returns to its original state. Forexample, an elastic member may be arranged between the first rotationmember 171 and the first support unit 161, so that the elastic memberprovides a restitution force to the first rotation member 171. Forexample, the elastic member may include a torsion spring to provide therestitution force to the first rotation member 171. When the restitutionforce is applied to the first rotation member 171, the first rotationmember 171 rotates in a reverse direction to that of operation 3. Then,the first rotation axis 111 a rotates due to the first rotation member171, so that the first loading stage 111 returns to its original state.

In addition, when the second driving unit operates, the second cam 151may rotate so that the second rotation member 172 returns to itsoriginal state. Since the second loading stage 113 operates in a similarmanner to the first loading stage 111, further description thereof isnot repeated here.

When the first loading stage 111 and the second loading stage 113rotate, the first loading stage 111 and the second loading stage 113 mayconcurrently (e.g., simultaneously) rotate in a different manner fromthat of operation 3. For example, the second driving unit may equallyrotate with the first driving unit 142, so that the second driving unitrotates the second cam 151 to the initial position as described inoperation 3.

Thus, the cell cutting device 100 and the cell cutting method may cutthe display cells D via a tilting movement, so that the cell cuttingdevice 100 and the cell cutting method rapidly and easily cut thedisplay cells D. In addition, the cell cutting device 100 and the cellcutting method may prevent collision between adjacent display cells D,so that it is possible to prevent product breakage after the displaycells D are cut, and to improve product quality.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cell cutting device 200 according toanother embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 illustrates anoperation of the cell cutting device 200 of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 illustratesan operation of a dummy removal unit 280 of FIG. 4.

Referring to FIGS. 4 through 6, the cell cutting device 200 may includea loading stage or a plurality of loading stages 210, a rotation drivingunit or a plurality of rotation driving units (for example, firstrotation driving unit 240 and second rotation driving unit 250), aposition change unit or a plurality of position change units, a supportunit or a plurality of support units 260, and an adhesion unit or aplurality of adhesion units. The plurality of loading stages 210, therotation driving units, the position change units, the support units260, and the adhesion units may be arranged (e.g., to correspond to oneanother).

The loading stage 210 may include a first loading stage 211 and a secondloading stage 213. The rotation driving unit may include the firstrotation driving unit 240 and the second rotation driving unit 250. Theposition change unit may include a first position change unit and asecond position change unit. The adhesion unit may include a firstadhesion unit and a second adhesion unit. The support unit 260 mayinclude a first support unit 262 and a second support unit 261.

The loading stage 210, the rotation driving unit, the position changeunit, the support unit 260, and the adhesion unit are similar to (e.g.,equivalent to) the loading stage 110, the rotation driving unit, theposition change unit, the support unit 160, and the adhesion unit asdescribed above with reference to FIGS. 1 through 3 and thus, detaileddescriptions thereof will not be repeated.

In addition, the first loading stage 211, the second loading stage 213,the first rotation driving unit 240, the second rotation driving unit250, the first position change unit, the second position change unit,the first support unit 262, the second support unit 261, the firstadhesion unit (including, for example, a first intake hole 231), and thesecond adhesion unit are similar to (e.g., equivalent to) the firstloading stage 111, the second loading stage 113, the first rotationdriving unit 140, the second rotation driving unit 150, the firstposition change unit, the second position change unit, the first supportunit 161, the second support unit 162, the first adhesion unit(including, for example, the first intake hole 131), and the secondadhesion unit as described above with reference to FIGS. 1 through 3 andthus, detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

As shown in FIG. 4, the cell cutting device 200 includes the dummyremoval unit 280 that is positioned or mounted with a set distance (forexample, a predetermined distance) from the loading stage 210, on whicha display sheet having a plurality of display cells D (for example firstdisplay cell D1 and second display cell D2) are positioned or mounted.The dummy removal unit 280 removes a dummy (for example, a dummy cell ordummy region, such as a portion of the display sheet S between adjacentones of the display cells D) of a cut display sheet S.

In addition, the dummy removal unit 280 includes a cutter unit or aplurality of cutter units 281 that is located between the loading stages210, and a cutter driving unit that moves (for example, linearly moves)the cutter unit 281 toward the loading stages 210. The cutter drivingunit may include various devices. For example, the cutter driving unitmay include a motor for linearly moving the cutter unit 281, and acylinder. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the cutter driving unitincludes the cylinder.

An end of the cutter unit 281 may be inclined or tapered, as shown inFIG. 6. For example, the end of the cutter unit 281 that is formed abovethe loading stage 210 may be inclined or tapered. In addition, theplurality of cutter units 281 may be arranged (e.g., to correspond tothe loading stages). The cutter units 281 may include a first cutterunit 281 a located between the first loading stage 211 and the secondloading stage 213. The cutter units 281 may also include a second cutterunit 281 b that is located at an end of the first loading stage 211 oran end of the second loading stage 213 to face the first cutter unit 281a (for example, when there are more than two loading stages 210, thesecond cutter unit 281 b may be located between the second loading stage213 and a third loading stage).

The dummy removal unit 280 may include a position adjusting unit thatlinearly moves the cutter units 281 in a set direction (for example, alongitudinal direction) of the display sheet S. For example, theposition adjusting unit may linearly move the first cutter unit 281 aand the second cutter unit 281 b in the longitudinal direction of thedisplay sheet S. The position adjusting unit may include a cylindricalcam unit 283 on which the cutter units 281 are formed, and a cam drivingunit that is connected to the cylindrical cam unit 283 and rotates thecylindrical cam unit 283.

An end of the first cutter unit 281 a and an end of the second cutterunit 281 b may slide within the cylindrical cam unit 283. For example,sliding grooves 283 a are spirally formed on the cylindrical cam unit283, so that the first cutter unit 281 a and the second cutter unit 281b are combined (e.g., joined or connected) thereto.

With respect to operations of the cell cutting device 200, theoperations of the cell cutting device 200 may be performed in a mannersimilar to those described above with reference to FIGS. 1 through 3.That is, operation 1 of adhering a display sheet, operation 2 of forminga crack, operation 3 of separating display cells, and operation 4 ofadjusting a distance between first loading stage and second loadingstage of the cell cutting device 200 may be performed in a mannersimilar to those described above with reference to FIGS. 1 through 3.Thus, for convenience of description, detailed descriptions regardingoperations 1 through 4 will not be repeated.

5. Operation 5′: Repositioning a First Loading Stage and a SecondLoading Stage

When the above procedure (e.g., operations 1 through 4) is completed,the first loading stage 211 and the second loading stage 213 may returnto their original positions. While the first loading stage 211 and thesecond loading stage 213 may return to their original positions in amanner similar to operation 5 described above with reference to FIGS. 1through 3, the first position change unit and the second position changeunit may instead not operate and thus, not change the distance betweenthe loading stages 210. Since the first position change unit and thesecond position change unit do not operate, the first loading stage 211and the second loading stage 213 rotate with a distance therebetween. Inaddition, the first loading stage 211 and the second loading stage 213may maintain a farther distance therebetween, compared to operation 1.

The first loading stage 211 and the second loading stage 213 may alsooperate in a manner similar to (e.g., equivalent to) operation 5described above with reference to FIGS. 1 through 3. Hereinafter, forconvenience of description, it is assumed that the first loading stage211 and the second loading stage 213 operate in a manner equivalent tooperation 5 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 through 3.

6. Operation 6: Removing a Dummy

When the first loading stage 211 and the second loading stage 213 returnto their original positions as described above, the first display cellD1 and the second display cell D2 may be separated with dummies that areirrelevant to or are not necessary for an operation (e.g., wasteportions of the display sheet S). In this case, the position adjustingunit may operate. In more detail, when the cam driving unit operates,the cylindrical cam unit 283 rotates so that the first cutter unit 281 aand the second cutter unit 281 b are aligned (for example, aligned withrespect to the display sheet S and to the display cells D). For example,the first cutter unit 281 a and the second cutter unit 281 b may bepositioned at the dummies of the first display cell D1 and the seconddisplay cell D2, respectively.

When the alignment is completed as described above, the cutter drivingunit operates to linearly move the first cutter unit 281 a and thesecond cutter unit 281 b toward the first display cell D1 and the seconddisplay cell D2. For example, when the first cutter unit 281 a and thesecond cutter unit 281 b operate, the first cutter unit 281 a and thesecond cutter unit 281 b may remove the dummies of the first displaycell D1 and the second display cell D2 by applying a force thereto. Acrack may be formed in the dummies as described in operation 2, and thenthe removal of the dummies may be performed in sequential order. Inaddition, it is possible that a dummy region is previously set inoperation 1, and the crack is formed in operation 2.

Thus, the cell cutting device 200 and the cell cutting method may cutthe display cells D via a tilting movement, so that the cell cuttingdevice 200 and the cell cutting method rapidly and easily cut thedisplay cells D. In addition, the cell cutting device 200 and the cellcutting method may prevent collision between adjacent display cells D,so that it is possible to prevent product breakage after the displaycells D are cut and to improve product quality. Since the cell cuttingdevice 200 and the cell cutting method may separate the display cells Dand then may easily remove the unnecessary dummies, the manufacturingprocedure may rapidly proceed.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and describedwith reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understoodby those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form anddetails may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention as defined by the following claims and theirequivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cell cutting device comprising: a loading stageconfigured to load a display sheet comprising a plurality of displaycells; a rotation driving unit connected to the loading stage andconfigured to rotate the loading stage and to separate the display sheetinto the plurality of display cells; and a position change unitconnected to the loading stage and configured to change a position ofthe loading stage.
 2. The cell cutting device of claim 1, furthercomprising an adhesion unit connected to the loading stage andconfigured to adhere the display sheet and the plurality of displaycells to the loading stage.
 3. The cell cutting device of claim 2,wherein the adhesion unit comprises an air intake part configured tointake air from an intake hole in the loading stage.
 4. The cell cuttingdevice of claim 1, wherein the rotation driving unit comprises: a camconnected to the loading stage; and a driving unit connected to the camand configured to rotate the cam.
 5. The cell cutting device of claim 4,further comprising: a support unit configured to support the loadingstage and to receive a rotation axis of the loading stage; and arotation member connected to the rotation axis and configured to rotateaccording to rotation of the cam.
 6. The cell cutting device of claim 1,wherein the loading stage comprises a plurality of loading stages, therotation driving unit comprises a plurality of rotation driving unitsarranged to correspond to the loading stages, and the plurality ofrotation driving units are configured to operate in sequential order. 7.The cell cutting device of claim 1, wherein the loading stage comprisesa plurality of loading stages, and rotation angles of the plurality ofloading stages differ from each other.
 8. The cell cutting device ofclaim 1, wherein the loading stage comprises a plurality of loadingstages, the position change unit comprises a plurality of positionchange units arranged to correspond to the loading stages, and theplurality of position change units are located between respectiveadjacent ones of the plurality of loading stages and configured toseparate the plurality of loading stages from each other.
 9. The cellcutting device of claim 1, further comprising a dummy removal unitseparated from the loading stage and configured to remove a dummy cellof each of the plurality of display cells.
 10. The cell cutting deviceof claim 9, wherein the loading stage comprises a plurality of loadingstages, and the dummy removal unit comprises: a cutter unit betweenadjacent ones of the plurality of loading stages; and a cutter drivingunit configured to linearly move the cutter unit toward the plurality ofloading stages.
 11. The cell cutting device of claim 10, wherein an endof the cutter unit is tapered.
 12. The cell cutting device of claim 10,wherein the cutter unit comprises a plurality of cutter units arrangedto correspond to the adjacent ones of the plurality of loading stages,and the dummy removal unit further comprises a position adjusting unitconfigured to linearly move the plurality of cutter units in alongitudinal direction of the display sheet.
 13. The cell cutting deviceof claim 12, wherein the position adjusting unit comprises: acylindrical cam unit connected to the plurality of cutter units; and acam driving unit connected to the cylindrical cam unit and configured torotate the cylindrical cam unit.
 14. The cell cutting device of claim 1,further comprising a crack forming unit configured to form a crack inthe display sheet loaded onto the loading stage.
 15. A cell cuttingmethod comprising: loading a display sheet comprising a plurality ofdisplay cells onto a loading stage; forming a crack between theplurality of display cells; separating the plurality of display cellsfrom each other by rotating the loading stage in one direction; androtating the loading stage in a direction opposite to the one direction.16. The cell cutting method of claim 15, wherein the loading stagecomprises a plurality of loading stages arranged to correspond to thedisplay cells, and the cell cutting method further comprises separatingthe plurality of loading stages from each other in a longitudinaldirection of the display sheet.
 17. The cell cutting method of claim 15,wherein the loading of the display sheet comprises adhering the displaysheet and the plurality of display cells to the loading stage.
 18. Thecell cutting method of claim 15, wherein the loading stage comprises aplurality of loading stages arranged to correspond to the display cells,and the rotating of the loading stage in the one direction comprisesrotating the plurality of loading stages in sequential order.
 19. Thecell cutting method of claim 15, wherein the loading stage comprises aplurality of loading stages arranged to correspond to the display cells,and in the rotating of the loading stage in the one direction, rotationangles of the plurality of loading stages differ from each other. 20.The cell cutting method of claim 15, further comprising removing a dummyregion of each of the plurality of separated display cells by using adummy removal unit.